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De Gea: I´ve matured in Manchester

20 March 2013 09:37

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea says he has matured as a footballer and person in his two years at the club.

The 22-year-old moved to Old Trafford from Atletico Madrid for a fee in the region of 17 million pounds in June 2011, signing as the primary replacement for Edwin van der Sar, who retired that off-season.

De Gea initially drew criticism for several costly mistakes and doubts were cast over his suitability for the physicality of the English Premier League but he has since ousted team-mate Anders Lindegaard as United's number one.

"I've changed a lot in Manchester," he told reporters.

"I've spent two years in their football culture and it makes you change.

"I'm more mature as a person and a player. I'm a very different person from when I arrived in England."

De Gea has started United's past 14 Premier League games, keeping seven clean sheets in the process, and has not conceded a league goal for 537 minutes.

He will face one member of United's defence in Patrice Evra on Tuesday as France host Spain in a World Cup 2014 qualifier and De Gea said they have shared their opinions ahead of the fixture.

"I have spoken to Evra. There's always some winding up... he says they will beat us," he said.